2018 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

A century after the Star's report, in 1983, the Howell Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) became one of Napa Valley's first official sub-designations. Where rivers, creeks, and property lines commonly define an AVA, Howell Mountain's boundaries are defined by a 1,400-foot elevation as the lowest point and the highest vineyards at 2,500 feet above sea level. The vines share the mountain with pine, oak, madron, and coast redwoods.

ABOUT LA JOTA

La Jota Vineyard Co. was founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, an immigrant from Switzerland, who founded a German-language newspaper in San Francisco. Undoubtedly influenced by other European immigrants involved in California's burgeoning wine industry, Hess purchased 327 acres of a Mexican land grant — Rancho La Jota — on Howell Mountain to plant vineyards. He built the stone winery from volcanic ash rock mined on the property; his first fermentation tanks also came from the estate, from a stand of nearby coastal redwoods. The rocky, shallow soils, abundance of wind and fog, and remoteness of Howell Mountain terroir were reminiscent of Europe where some of the best wines in the world were produced. Read more under the tab: Winery